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By Sue Xue, Carl C. Nesbitt

A project was completed which investigated the efficacy of recycling lead or lead monoxide from various fire assay wastes including crucibles, cupels and slag. The scope of the project was to determine optimal hydrometallurgical parameters so that direct separation and recovery of lead salts was economically feasible. A process was developed from the study which could use either acetic acid or nitric acid as a leachant, followed by several precipitation processes which could directly recover litharge (PbO) or other lead salts, such as lead carbonate or lead sulfate. The economics of the process is discussed. Analytical equipment such as the atomic absorption spectrophotometer and x-ray diffractometer supplied much of the information required for the study. However some novel analytical approaches using these instruments had to be developed to help in the determination of leaching kinetics and process quality control which are discussed.

Jan 1, 1999

By Mark A. Jirsa

The Biwabik Iron Formation is a ~1.9 billion year-old sequence of iron-rich sedimentary rocks that was metamorphosed at its eastern- most extent by ~1.1 billion year-old intrusions of the Duluth Complex. The metamorphic recrystallization of iron-formation locally produced iron-rich amphiboles and other fibrous iron-silicate minerals. The presence of these minerals in iron-formation along the eastern part of what is known as the Mesabi Iron Range, and their potential liberation by iron mining has raised environmental health concerns. We describe here the geologic setting and mineralogic composition of the Biwabik Iron Formation in and adjacent to the contact metamorphic aureole of the Duluth Complex. The effects of metamorphism are most pronounced within a few kilometers of the contact, and decrease progressively away from it. The contact aureole has been divided into four metamorphic zones?each characterized by the composition and crystal structure of the metamorphic minerals it contains. The recrystallization of iron-formation to iron-rich amphibole minerals (grunerite and cummingtonite) and iron-pyroxene minerals (hedenbergite and ferrohypersthene) is best developed in zones that are most proximal to the Duluth Complex contact. ©2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Iron-formation; Mining; Fibrous; Mineralogy; Metamorphism.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. K. Watt

"The availability of fresh water to meet present and future needs in Ontario is of concern to an increasing number of people. Rain and snow are the source of our potable water and provide, on the average, some 180,-000 billion gallons of water annually. This amount is reduced to 94 billion gallons a day as a result of the evaporation and transpiration of water and our inability to construct the necessary reservoirs for capturing surplus stream flow.The water used for domestic, irrigation, public supply and industrial purposes amounts to some 7 billion gallons daily at present and will reach 21 billion gallons daily by the year 2000; however, only about one-fifth of the water used is actually consumed, and this, along with the possibilities of water re-use, improves the water supply picture still further.The need for adequate pollution control has accompanied industrial and urban expansion and is an important factor in the extent to which our surplus water is used. In the 10-year period since the formation of the Ontario Water Resources Commission, the cost of water and sewage works constructed in the Province has exceeded one billion dollars. A special effort is now being made to control the industrial pollution situation.Numerous federal and provincial agencies are engaged in hydrologie studies in the Province, providing in-formation of benefit to those involved with water resources management."

Jan 1, 1967

The purpose of this paper is to present the methods used in ground water control and the considerations that affected the development of these techniques. Production at Knob Lake is currently proceeding at depths which may be as much as 200 feet below the original standing water table. In order to produce a more saleable product and to improve operating and maintenance conditions, it is necessary to depress the water table below the mining level. Considerable success has been achieved by drilling deep wells in strategic locations and installing vertical tur-bine pumps at depths of up to 400 feet. This method is especially suitable for operation under severe winter conditions and has reduced the detrimental effects by a far greater extent than other methods of water control, Spring runoff is handled in open sumps, but all other water from four mines, with flows exceeding 16,000 g.p.m., is pumped all year 'round from about thirty-five wells. THE Knob Lake operation of the. Iron Ore Company of Canada is located on the Quebec-Labrador border, 320 miles north of Sept-lies, a seaport

Jan 1, 1965

By R K. W Merkle, S Madoom Hussain, T Yellappa

Cr-Ni-Cu¦PGE deposits are known to occur in early Archaean mafic-ultramafic rocks. Early Archaean mafic-ultramafic (MUMF) rocks occur in the western Dharwar craton and range in size from small pods to schist belts. These MUMF pods consist mainly of meta-peridotites, tremolite-actinolite schists, serpentinites, amphibolites and metabasalts. Spinifex, nodular and ocelli textures are also present. The rocks have been subjected to greenschist and amphibolite facies metamorphism. Geochemical studies were undertaken to evaluate the possible occurrence of economically important elements in the mafic-ultramafic enclaves around the major Arsikere-Tavarkere lineament and surrounding gneissic terrain adjoining local shear zones that occur as discontinuous pods between Arsikere and Chennagiri. Talc-serpentine and tremolite- actinolite schists contain chromite which is rimmed by ferrit-chromite. A notable feature of these MUMF rocks is that they exhibit high MgO (22 - 40 per cent), total iron (8.34 - 10.01 per cent), Ni and Cr (~3000, 2800 ppm) contents, with some samples showing komatiitic affinity. The rare earth elements (REE) data show slightly fractionated patterns with enriched LREE (LREE/HREE ~5.0) and negative europium anomalies. The Pt and Pd values reach 6500 and 191 ppb. The MUMF rocks, especially those exhibiting high chromium contents and occurring near shear zones, are potential hosts for economic platinum group element (PGE) deposits.

Jan 1, 2008

The purpose of this paper is to present the methods used in ground water control and the considerations that affected the development of these techniques. Production at Knob Lake is currently proceeding at depths which may be as much as 200 feet below the original standing water table. In order to produce a more saleable product and to improve operating and maintenance conditions, it is necessary to depress the water table below the mining level. Considerable success has been achieved by drilling deep wells in strategic locations and installing vertical tur-bine pumps at depths of up to 400 feet. This method is especially suitable for operation under severe winter conditions and has reduced the detrimental effects by a far greater extent than other methods of water control, Spring runoff is handled in open sumps, but all other water from four mines, with flows exceeding 16,000 g.p.m., is pumped all year 'round from about thirty-five wells. T HE Knob Lake operation of the. Iron Ore Company of Canada is located on the Quebec-Labrador border, 320 miles north of Sept Iles,

Jan 1, 1965

By K. E. Barnes

"The “Jameson Cell” flotation cell was developed at Mount Isa Mines in the late 1980’s to address deficiencies in our flotation column installations. Early base metal installations had a variable record. The test work and trials showed they made an improvement metallurgically when operated correctly, but performance of the early installations was hindered by a range of operational and maintenance issues. The installations needed to be more robust, and we needed a better understanding of how to successfully integrate the cells into the plant flow sheet.During the 1990’s, Jameson Cells had great success in coal fines flotation and organic removal in SXEW applications, and became the standard in these applications in Australia. These installations improved the cell design and materials of construction and the cell flow sheet design, to make it low wear with self-regulating control, producing good performance with little operator input.These improvements have enabled a fresh look at the use of Jameson Cells in base metals. Recent new installations have shown significant benefits in “hybrid” circuits, that combine the best features of both Jameson Cells and conventional flotation cells, achieving better overall circuit performance in a smaller footprint than either technology could do by itself.Case studies of successful base metal applications are discussed, using size-by-size mineralogical performance to explain the improved circuit performance. The new methods of flow sheet test work design are also described."

Jan 1, 2006

By D. W. Brunton

Discussion of the paper of D. W. Brunton, presented at the Spokane meeting, September, 1909, and published in Bulletin No. 33, September, 1909, pp. 837 to 855. WILLIAM' KENT, New York, N. Y.:-The Institute may congratulate itself on the opportunity of reading the splendid address of President Brunton. It is au admirable summary of the progress that has been made in the mining and metallurgical arts in recent years. The paper rightly give's the chief credit for this progress to the aid which has been rendered to these arts by the advances in mechanics, chemistry, and electricity. It is notable that most of the headings in Mr. Brunton's address refer to the work of the mechanical engineer, the electrical engineer, and the chemist, rather than to that of the specialist in mining-operations. It seems that. the most successful mining engineer of the present day is the one who makes the most intelligent application of the inventions and designs of engineers and others who are not directly engaged in mining. A tabulation' of the headings of the address, grouped as below, shows this most clearly. Work of the Mechanical Engineer-Rock-drills, hoisting-machinery, tramming, pumping, ventilation, dredging, sampling, concentration, briquetting, fume-recovery. Work of the Electrical Engineer-Electric machinery for hoisting, pumping, tramming, lighting and signaling, electric . transmission, electric smelting. Work of the Chemist and Metallurgist-Explosives, chlorination, cyanidation, roasting, lead-smelting, and copper-smelting. Work of the Geologist-Economic geology. Work of the Mining Engineer-Mine-mapping, surface-mining, timbering, tunneling; and planning and supervision of the work in general. The mining engineer of the present day, who is in responsible charge of a large plant, finds his chief work not in doing

Jan 1, 1910

By M Wortley, J McKay, D La Rosa, O Guyo

It has been a generally held concept that crushing operations were, by their nature, too simple to benefit from the implementation of advanced process control. The commissioning of an OCS¬ expert control system and image-based oversize detection system, VisioRock, at the Pilbara Iron Tom Price facility are dispelling these notions. A constraint-based OCS¬ expert control system has been designed and commissioned on the high-grade crushing and screening plant along with a vision-based oversize detection system functioning on six product conveyor belts. To date, the expert control has demonstrated the ability to increase production by maximising dynamic constraint utilisation. Dynamic constraint utilisation is a concept developed by Rio Tinto Technical Services for effectively evaluating constraint-based control logic performance. The VisioRock system has been installed and configured and has been operating for a period of several months. Currently, Tom Price and Metso personnel are working to define correct oversize detection thresholds. Details of the plant implementation are discussed.

Jan 1, 2006

By P. T. Bissert, L. Yan, J. R. Srednicki, J. A. Yonkey

"Refuge alternatives (RAs) are required in underground coal mines to support life post-disaster. RAs are mandated by MSHA to maintain an apparent temperature (AT) at or below 95°F (35°C) while providing a safe and livable shelter for a minimum of 96 hours. Because strata composition and mine temperatures will affect the final AT within an occupied RA, NIOSH researchers have collaborated with five underground coal mines across the US to characterize the effects of geographic location and seasonal temperature fluctuations on mine air temperature, relative humidity, and mine strata temperatures. The data collected indicates that some mines will experience greater temperature fluctuations than others, based on geographic location. The mine which demonstrated the greatest temperature differential over the course of the year resulted in a mine air temperature that ranged from 53.4°F (11.9°C) to 84.2°F (29.0°C) and a rib surface temperature that ranged from 55.4°F (13.0°C) to 82.8°F (28.2°C). This data suggests that the location and seasonal peak temperature can significantly affect the mine strata temperature, which could lead to a fully occupied RA exceeding the 95°F (35°C) AT limit over the course of 96 hours. The data reported in this paper could be used to examine the heat buildup inside an RA for actual mine conditions. Thermal simulations could be implemented to evaluate maximum occupancy ratings based on actual mine temperatures and strata compositions. INTRODUCTION In the event of a mine disaster, miners’ primary focus is to escape. Should their attempt be futile, they can enter a refuge alternative (RA) to await rescue. In 2008, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) mandated that underground coal mines implement RAs within 1,000 ft (304.8 m) of the working face and spaced within one-hour travel distances in outby areas where persons work such that persons in outby areas are never more than than a 30-minute travel distance from an RA or safe exit. These RAs are required to provide a safe and habitable shelter for a minimum of 96 hours and to prevent the apparent temperature (AT) from exceeding 95°F (35°C) [1]. There is concern throughout the industry that in some cases the internal ambient of occupied RAs may exceed the 95°F (35°C) AT limit due to the potentially hot mine atmosphere as well as the metabolic heat generated by RA occupants and the carbon dioxide scrubbing system. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted tests in its Safety Research Coal Mine (SRCM) and its Experimental Mine (EM) to investigate heat buildup in RAs. It was found that the number of occupants in an RA may need to be reduced based on the ambient mine temperature, which varies from mine to mine [2]. Further testing and analyses were completed to evaluate the mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation) by which heat is transferred from an RA to the mine surroundings. Additionally, the effects of varying mine strata compositions on the heat buildup inside an RA were studied [3]. The mine strata temperatures will increase due to heat transfer from within an RA. Depending on the mine strata composition, some mines may be more thermally conductive than others. For example, sandstone is much more conductive than shale or coal (i.e. it disippates heat at a quicker rate). All things being equal, the air temperature inside of an RA after 96 hours will be higher for a mine with strata that has low thermal conductivity compared to a mine with high thermal conductivity."

Jan 1, 2017

By George H. Holmes

This paper , which describes mining methods and milling and manufacturing operations at the gypsum property of the Blue Diamond Corp. , is one of a series on mining methods and practices being prepared by the Mining Division of the Bureau of Mines . The property comprises about 4,000 acres and is in secs . 30 , 31 , 32 , and 33 , T. 21 S. , R. 59 E. , and secs . 5 , 6, 7 , 8 , and 9 , T. 22 S. , R. 59 E. , M. D. B. and M. , Clark County , Nev . , approximately 23 miles by paved highway southwest of Las Vegas , Nev . ( fig . 1 ) . This circular summarizes the history of company operations , describes physical features , labor and living conditions , and the geology . The method of exploration is outlined , and the section on mining methods contains descriptions of open - pit and underground systems , including loading and transportation methods . The crushing plant and tramway are described , as well as plaster-mill and board -plant practices . The boiler plant and organization are described , and wage scales are contained in the concluding section of the circular .

Mar 1, 1950

By Merle Randall

Application of a new chemical spray in a mercury mine in which ore rich in native metal was causing salivation among the miners has given such favorable results that it is believed the process will be useful in other mines and perhaps in some plants where similar conditions exist. The process was originated by Merle Randall, professor of chemistry at the University of California. GENERAL PROBLEM The presence of native quicksilver in mines from which the metal is produced has long been a source of trouble and danger to the workers. Men have been sickened and some of them have been disabled by exposure to the vapors present (even in workings that were well-ventilated by ordinary standards) and to contact with dust, dirt, and moisture with which the finely divided quicksilver was mixed. Where the ore was rich and this exposure was considerable men were able to work only a few days or weeks; where the exposure was less they were weakened and subject to ailments often attributed to other causes.

Jan 1, 1942

By G. W. Luxbacher

This volume describes the use of the Penn State Mine Ventilation Simulator (PSU/MVS) to model existing mine ventilation systems and, in addition, to evaluate the effect of system modifications. Ventilation survey methods designed to insure computer input data of sufficient accuracy for simulation purposes are covered in comprehensive detail, including quantity and pressure measurement and fan performance testing. The development of input data from ventilation survey results is discussed and illustrated by the use of an actual field survey. Two programs, written in FORTRAN IV with WATFIV, are presented to calculate airway head losses from altimeter pressure measurements. An existing coal mine ventilation system is analyzed and modifications to the system are simulated and evaluated. In addition the application of the PSU/MVS to non-coal mines is briefly discussed. An extensive bibliography on ventilation surveying and simulation is included.

Jan 1, 1977

By J. J. Montoro

The influence of blasting on the excavators’ efficiency, defined as mucking rate (amount of rock mucked per unit time) and mean bucket load (amount of rock loaded in each bucket operation), is investigated. Rock characteristics, blasting parameters (drill pattern, explosive energy, and charging), and the excavator’s performance (truck loading time and number of buckets to fill a truck) were monitored in eleven blasts in an open pit iron ore mine. ANFO, ANFO/emulsion blend, and watergel were used in the blasts and the powder factor was varied between 0.98 and 1.45 kg/m3. The mean bucket load is mainly affected by the bucket size, which is independent of the blasting parameters. Besides the relation with the mean bucket load, the mucking rate was found to be positively correlated with the explosive energy, whereas no significant correlation with the rock properties was found. The analysis of the data, together with other published works, suggests a non-monotonic relation of the mucking rate with the powder factor, with a maximum mucking rate at a certain powder factor. This is especially true when the useful work of the explosive per unit rock volume is used rather than the classical mass powder factor and when only the amount of explosive above grade is considered.

Jan 1, 2007

By Lyman Moore

This Bureau of Mines report describes 2nd evaluates iron ore resources in California and Nevada and analyzes the California and Japanese iron ore markets in which these resources will be used. The competitive position of California-Nevada ores, in these markets, was estimated by comparing regional iron ore prices, production costs, and transportation costs with those of foreign suppliers. Resources were determined to be sufficient to produce the equivalent of 585 million tons of 64-percent iron pellets at a price of less than $15 per ton delivered at California ports. Much higher tonnage could be produced at higher prices. Iron ore requirement of the California iron and steel industry will increase to an estimated 15.9 million tons by the year 2000. A study of the iron ore production potential of California-Nevada deposits and of out-of- State sources indicated that this ore requirement can be supplied most economically by California-Nevada ores. Iron ore import requirements of the Japanese iron and steel industry will increase to an estimated 150.0 million tons by the year 2000. A study of price trends in this market indicated that very little California-Nevada iron ore will be sold in Japan after 1973 when existing sales contracts expire. Iron ore-exports might be economically possible if ore could be transported from California to Japan at ballast rates as backhaul on existing petroleum shipping.

Jan 1, 1971

By Ellsworth Daggett

In the first paper on the Russell process presented by Mr. Stetefeldt, in May, 1884 (Transactions, xiii.), the process was treated from a purely theoretical standpoint.. 111 his second paper of October, 1886 (Transactions, xv,), the details of the plant, the chemicals used, and the manipulation in both mill and laboratory were treated. The aim of the present paper is to present economical results recently attained, new data affecting the preparation and manipulation of ore in the mill, and a more complete and systematic scheme of laboratory work. This paper is compiled mainly from Mr. Russell's notes of his own experience. Many of these notes, particularly those relating to work at Cusihuiriachic,* Mexico, have been upon work directly under the personal observation of the compiler, who takes pleasure in thus presenting to the Institute, data and considerations of much interest and value pot only to users of the Russell process, but to mill men generally. The description of the chemicals used and of the preparation of the mill-solutions being' in part the same now as when Mr. Stetefeldt's second paper was published, some use is here made of portions of that paper. No theoretical matter is here given. For a treatise containing also the theory of the process the reader is referred to Mr. Stetefeldt's complete work on " Lixiviation of Silver Ores by Hyposulphite Solutions," now in preparation. To facilitate the consultation of this paper, the following synopsis and index is prefixed. The figures in parenthesis indicate the page of this paper on which the subject is treated.

Jan 1, 1888

By J. G. A. Stevenson

GENERAL Location of Property THE Stirling zinc-lead-copper deposit is in Richmond county, Cape Breton, about a quarter of a mile southwest from Stirling P.O., and some 45 miles southwest from Sydney. The property is accessible by road for at least nine months of the year, and during the navigation period coastal boats maintain a service touching at the port of Fourchu, eleven miles from the mine. When flying conditions permit, the Cape Breton Flying Club, of Sydney, will carry passengers to or from the property, a service which has been particularly advantageous on two occasions when hospitalization was urgently required. The Company has mining rights on leases Nos. 73-74, 78-80, and 101-104, inclusive, and owns 166 acres at Stirling and one acre at Fourchu. The ore deposit is in lease No. 73. History The Stirling deposit was discovered in the 'nineties', probably about 1895. The original discovery is said to have been made in the bed of Copper creek, which traverses the ore-zone. For a number of years, indifferent development work was carried on with a view to copper production only, and it was not until1915-16 that attention was directed to the possible production of zinc. Previously, the ore had been considered too complex for metallurgical treatment. During the period 1916-24 several operators attempted to develop the property, among them being the Stirling Exploration Company, Stirling Mining & Smelting Company, New Jersey Zinc Company of New York, Hayden & Stone Company of Boston, and The Eastern Mining & Milling Company. Up to 1924, the work was limited mainly to trenching, stripping, ? diamond drilling, and shot drilling.

Jan 1, 1937

A maximum acceptable level of 2 mg/m3 of respirable coal mine dust in active mine workings was established, effective January 1, 1973, under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. It is generally agreed that, as a result, coal mines in the United States are significantly less dusty than they were a decade ago. For example, operators of underground mining machines were exposed to between 3.9 and 6.5 mg/m3 of respirable coal mine dust during 1968-69; now they are exposed to between 1.3 and 1.8 mg/m3. Also, the incidence of underground sections cited for exceeding acceptable levels of respirable coal mine dust decreased during 1976-78, and the vast majority of all working sections are now in compliance. This improvement is very substantial by world standards. It must be regarded as a creditable accomplishment by the coal mine operators, federal agencies, and mine workers involved. Most of the improvement has been brought about by the use of existing technology to control, suppress, and collect respirable coal mine dust. Research and development by the Bureau of Mines has contributed significantly to the accomplishment by improving the methods for sampling, control, suppression, and collection.

Jan 1, 1980

By K. L. Paciorek

The primary objective of this program was to determine the toxic fume and fire hazard of elastomeric noise abatement materials with a limited effort expended on the evaluation of specific treatments applied to mine timbers. Under the conditions employed, for a dimethyl silicone rubber, formaldehyde presented the major toxic threat; acrolein was the main toxic species for both polyester and polyether urethanes and an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin; in the case of flame-retardant styrene-butadiene rubber compositions, hydrogen chloride, and in the case of PFA-treated timber, furfural, were the major toxic compounds. Of the materials studied, the flame-retardant styrene-butadiene rubbers presented the greatest toxic hazard. The generated data have been reduced to toxic load tabulations amenable to employment for potential hazard assessment.

Jan 1, 1982

By E. H. Burroughs

This bulletin is the sixth in the series of petroleum bibliographies published by the Bureau of Mines, Bulletins 149, 165, 180, 189, and 216 being compilations for the years 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, and 1919- 1920, respectively. In this bulletin the same general plan has been followed in arranging the references, but one or two additions have been made in the classification.

Jan 1, 1921